Moody Ready for his Chance

Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps has taken most of the carries for the Florida Gators over the last two seasons, but it will be Emmanuel Moody getting most of the hand offs this spring. Rainey is practicing with the wide receivers and Demps is concentrating on the track and field season. With them elsewhere, Moody is the top running back for the Gators.

Emmanuel Moody will be looking to take advantage of his chance to impress coaches, especially with a new running backs coach at UF.

“This an opportunity now, and it's always an opportunity, so I keep practicing hard and doing what I can do,” Moody said.

Moody was fourth on the team in rushing last year with 378 yards on 58 carries, but he trailed Demps and Rainey, who had 99 and 89 carries, respectively.

But the return of running backs coach Stan Drayton could be a positive for the redshirt senior. Drayton recruited Moody and was a major reason for Moody transferring to Florida from USC.

“When I knew he was coming back, I was really happy because he's a great guy and was a big reason I came to this program,” Moody said.

Drayton won't be the only difference for the Gators' offense this season. John Brantley has taken over the reigns at quarterback and with him comes some other changes.

Brantley has more pure passing ability than Tim Tebow had, but lacks the running skill Tebow possess, which means the Gators might not run as much spread-option from shotgun.

“I'm trying to learn some things right now with the new offense we've got – a little more things under center with John Brantley,” Moody said.

This spring is a good opportunity for Moody to gain an advantage on the other backs while they are not practicing at the position, but he will need to avoid injuries, something that has plagued him in the past.

In each of his two season playing for Florida, he has missed time due to injuries. He enters spring with an injured ankle that is still lingering after post-season surgery, but he said it is not going to keep him out of the spring game.

“I had surgery on my ankle. It's not fully there, but it's getting better,” Moody said.